The Summer Heats Up with Cambridge Plays

Come outside and play as warm weather arrives. The Community Development Department (CDD) partners with local businesses and organizations to sponsor free events in squares and neighborhoods across the city. The purpose of Cambridge Plays is:

• Encourage people to enjoy parks and plazas in our commercial areas.
• Build community and increase access to cultural programming.
• Foster a welcoming and anti-racist environment.
• Support Cambridge's local businesses
• Celebrate Cambridge's cultural diversity. 

We are now accepting proposals for 2025 Cambridge Plays events. We want local businesses and organizations to lead events in our commercial areas. What makes your business or organization special? Do you have a skill to teach or an art to share? Apply to lead a Cambridge Plays event and share that with everyone! Be creative! Event ideas could be:

• flower arranging,
• hair braiding,
• napkin folding,
• greeting card making, or
• salsa dancing.

Selected proposals will receive up to $2,000 reimbursement for event supplies and staff time. We work with you to schedule the event and choose a location. Events must be between May 16, 2025 and August 31, 2025. Events take place in plazas, in parks, and on sidewalks in our commercial districts. All events are open to people of all ages and abilities. We work with you to get all applicable permits and entertainment licenses. 

There are two opportunities to apply this year:

• Deadline 1: Events May 16 - June 30, 2025
  • Applications are due Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM.

• Deadline 2: Events July 1 - August 31, 2025
  • Applications are Due Monday, June 16, 2025, at 8:00 PM. 

You may submit applications for Deadline 2 at any time. However, we will not review them until June 16.

For more information about program requirements and to apply, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/CambridgePlays.

The Cambridge Plays program is managed by the Community Development Department (CDD). If you have questions, please contact Sarah Jane Huber at shuber@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4624.